Advancing Wetland Stewardship & Restoration in the Kootenays

BC Wildlife Federation Photo

DESCRIPTION: The Crooked Horn and Halleran wetland projects are critical for restoring and enhancing aquatic and riparian habitats within the RDCK Local Conservation Fund service area. Both wetlands provide essential breeding, foraging, and overwintering habitat for native wildlife, including at-risk species such as western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii), western toad (Anaxyrus boreas), common camas (Camassia quamash), and great blue heron (Ardea herodias). These habitats also contribute to broader watershed health by improving water quality, regulating hydrology, and supporting floodplain function.

By integrating restoration, monitoring, and community engagement, these initiatives will deliver measurable conservation outcomes, including maintained and expanded wetland habitat, monitored populations of key species, and improved hydrological stability. Furthermore, these projects foster capacity-building through volunteer and partner involvement, ensuring the local community is equipped to support long-term wetland management and conservation. Through these combined efforts, the Crooked Horn and Halleran wetlands will provide ecological, cultural, and community benefits, protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat, supporting Indigenous stewardship, and promoting resilient landscapes that serve both nature and local communities.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this project is to maintain the ecological function of restored wetlands, promote the recovery of western painted turtles, western toads, common camas, and other native species, and support resilient ecosystems that provide benefits to both wildlife and local communities.

Specific project objectives are to:

1) Maintain and enhance restored wetland habitats through invasive species control, native vegetation planting, and wetland function management at Crooked Horn Farm wetland;

2) Support western painted turtle, western toad, and other species-at-risk through targeted habitat enhancements at Crooked Horn and Halleran Wetlands;

3) Ensure both restored wetlands maintain ecological function through regular monitoring and adaptive management;

4) Foster community stewardship and environmental awareness through volunteer and partner engagement; and

5) Ensure sustainable, resilient wetland ecosystems that provide ongoing ecological and cultural benefits.